17-year-old sailor documents his travels around the world on a catamaran

By Jack Flanagan

A TEENAGER travels the world in a boat snapping award-winning wildlife pictures

Scroll down for the full story

Jonathan captures a stunning shot of Oryx in the distance during his travels in Sossusvlei, Namibia.

Taken between 2013 and 2016, these incredible photographs are the work of 17-year-old Jonathan Jagot - who has been sailing round the world with his parents since he was 12.

A Spinner dolphin jumps out of the water in Boddam Island

Jonathan, who was born in France but grew up in French Polynesia and New Caledonia, has visited 25 countries armed with his camera and a love of animals.

An endangered sifaka poses on the branch of a tree as Jonathan takes its picture in Madagascar

The young adventurer was named BBC Wildlife photographer of the year 2015 and has captured a variety of animals in places as diverse as Malaysia, Namibia and Chagos Archipelago.

The snapper has lived on islands his entire life, growing up in French Polynesia and New Caledonia

The Frenchman's amazing pictures include a spinner dolphin leaping out of the water in the the Salomon Islands and a beautiful Red Ibis bird soaring over a sand dune in Brazil.

Jonathan's parents collect jewellery and cosmetics from their travels which they sell back in New Caledonia.

Hundreds of pink flamingos take flight Baly Bay, Madagascar

He said: “It was the dream of my parents, to discover the world in a sailing boat.

“We started travelling when I was 12 years old, although I have lived on the catamaran since I have eight – so it’s nearly a decade that I've been living at sea.

A group of Springbok captured in the distance in Sossusvlei, Namibia

“I’ve studied on the boat by correspondence school for five years and passed my exams in Martinique in 2015.”

A breathtaking aerial view take by Jonathan in San Blas, Coco West

The family will complete their current trip in nine months - by which time they will have passed through the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

A beautiful Red Ibis bird soars over a sand dune in Brazil

Jonathan revealed he started taking wildlife images in 2011 and says he has always been drawn to the natural world.

Taking photos was never a career aspiration for Jagot he said it just “happened”

He said: “I started taking pictures four years ago in Malaysia, where the wildlife is incredible.

“I've always loved nature and animals and I'm passionate about protecting them.”

A baby bird also known as a, Sula Sula, in it's nest in Los Aves islands, Venezuela

The talented snapper also talked about his favourite places he has had the privilege of visiting

The 17-year-old lives on a catamaran and travels round the world photographing wildlife

“As for countries, I like Madagascar, Namibia and the Chagos Archipelago - principally because they're authentic, not touristy and have a fantastic wildlife and splendid landscapes,” he added.